2020 BMW 3 Series Review

The 2020 BMW M340i promises to finally realize what BMW fans have wanted for decades: M3 performance at a 3 Series price. With an estimated 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds, the M340i is just a few ticks slower than the current-generation M3. Just don't ask for a manual transmission; the M340i, like the rest of the new 3 Series range, will only be available with an eight-speed automatic.

Performance Isn't Just About Power

Like the previous-generation 340i, the 2020 M340i's signature feature is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. Power output stands at 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, up from 320 hp and 330 lb-ft in the outgoing 340i. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive available for a little extra.

Performance enhancements don't stop with the revised engine. You also get a sport-tuned suspension, variable steering and an electronically controlled, fully locking rear differential for better cornering ability. The M Sport package — optional on the base BMW 330i — is standard here, adding upgraded brakes and assorted sporty trim pieces and M badges.

Still a 3 Series

The M340i benefits from the upgrades introduced for the redesigned 2019 model. Launch control is standard on every model, making you master and commander of all 382 hp, right off the line. The 3 Series is also larger than before, with upgraded materials and interior design. Trunk space is up, coming in at 17 cubic feet, which is significantly more than you'll find in competitors such as the Audi A4 or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Thankfully, lightweight materials were used extensively throughout the vehicle to shave weight from the body, chassis and suspension components. Based on BMW's specs, the new car's curb weight is only up about 40 pounds over last year.

Perhaps the most interesting advancement in the M340i is the new suspension. An adaptive M suspension setup is available as an optional extra, allowing drivers to adjust suspension stiffness on the fly depending on their needs, but the standard suspension is the real story. The poetically named "lift-related dampers" are the centerpiece here, and they're debuting on the new 3 Series. Essentially, they're an entirely mechanical way to allow the suspension to respond differently to different sorts of compression events. That means they can resist body roll in turns or pitch during acceleration and braking, but react with more compliance over bumps and road imperfections — all without needing a single microchip.

We'll have to wait and see how this new suspension works in the real world, but we like the premise. BMWs have suffered from "mode creep" quite a bit in recent years, in which all the different driving interfaces can be set in multiple ways. Sometimes that means you can find a mode that's just right for you, but it can also feel as if you're missing out on how the engineers believe the car should behave. The 3 Series' trick new dampers could prove to be an elegant cure for mode creep, so long as they deliver on their performance claims.

More Equipment, More Tech

The 2019 BMW 3 Series will come standard with full LED automatic headlights, automatic wipers and three-zone climate control. A 10-speaker stereo comes standard, with the option of a 16-speaker, 464-watt Harman Kardon system. The optional head-up display has grown both in size and functionality, able to display more information over a larger area of the windshield. A 360-degree camera is available, with a Remote 3D View that allows owners to call up a live 3D image of their car and its surroundings on their smartphone. NFC technology in the doors allows owners to turn their NFC-enabled phones into virtual keys that unlock the car.

BMW's full suite of driver aids and active safety features is available, from adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality to lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic reverse braking and rear cross-traffic alert. Of course, there's also an available active parking assistant and parking sensors. Forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking is standard, and it can detect pedestrians and bicyclists as well as other automobiles.

All of this tech falls under the title "Driving Assistant Professional," and all of it should make driving in traffic or on dull roads less of a chore, not to mention cut down on collisions. It's worth noting that this is an assistant, not a semiautomated system like Cadillac's Super Cruise. In other words, you'll still need to keep your hands on the wheel.

More Tech Talk

BMW's iDrive 6.0 system is standard on all 3 Series models, with an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 5.7-inch driver information display. A 10.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, running iDrive 7.0, are available. Called Live Cockpit Professional, this setup puts BMW on a more even footing with systems such as Audi's Virtual Cockpit, allowing for more customization and display options. Notably, both of the available touchscreens retain BMW's console-mounted rotary knob controller.

To complement the new infotainment and tech features, BMW is debuting another technology, the Intelligent Personal Assistant. It's more than just a natural-language voice control system, although it's that, too. A` la Siri or Alexa, just say "Hey, BMW," and the car will respond to simple commands. Tell the car you're cold, for example, and it'll kick on the seat heaters. Tell it you're tired, and it'll alter the ambient lighting, music and temperature to try to wake you up. The assistant will also learn your habits, homing in on your frequent destinations and favorite vehicle functions. Considering the number of features available on the new 3 Series, making them easier to access makes a lot of sense.

Pricing and Availability

The base 330i and 330i xDrive will go on sale in March 2019, with prices starting at $41,195, including destination. The M340i and M340i xDrive will arrive later in the spring. There's no official pricing on the M340i models just yet, but the previous-gen 340i commanded a roughly $9,000 premium over the 330i. We expect a similar fee for upgrading to the 2020 BMW M340i.